Chances are you‘ve noticed more and more retro-style mechanical keyboards popping up on enthusiasts‘ desktops – big, chunky slabs hearkening back 30+ years to the days of beige towers and CRT monitors. I totally get the appeal…that satisfying clicky feel under the fingers and nostalgic industrial design.
But before you run out to grab one, I wanted to share 6 hidden downsides you should factor into your decision. I‘ve researched and tested my fair share of "vintage revival" peripherals, and while fun recreationally, most retro mechanical keyboards make tough daily drivers. Beyond aesthetic compromises, they can prove expensive, uncomfortably clunky, disruptively loud, and limiting functionality-wise.
If you can live with the tradeoffs, more power to you! But if keeping costs down and workflow efficiency up are priorities for your work/gaming keyboard, give this buyers guide a read first. I‘ll summarize what exactly makes retro mechanical keyboards "retro," review the limitations, and suggest a few contemporary boards I‘ve vetted that dodge the drawbacks.
What Makes a Mechanical Keyboard "Retro?"
First what exactly qualifies a keyboard for the retro badge? After all, most modern mechanical keyboards employ technology essentially unchanged for decades – physical switches beneath each key driving electrical contacts to register key presses.
True enough! But retro mechanical keyboards additionally mimic design conventions last seen during the 80s and 90s personal computing boom. Specifically:
Large footprints – Lengthy, full layout chassis plus wide bezels and margins
Beige/grey color schemes – Mimicking the drab plastic shades prevalent before sleek black
Vintage fonts and decoration – From dot matrix-looking legends to "aged" design flourishes
Most importantly, they fuse these old school stylings with otherwise modern features:
- Wireless Bluetooth connectivity
- Custom RGB lighting effects
- USB connectivity vs. legacy ports
So they blend a heavy dose of nostalgia with appreciated modern conveniences.
Enthusiasts further fuel the retro trend via custom mods and restorations. Common projects include:
- Outfitting vintage boards like the IBM Model M with QMK/VIA programming
- Salvaging high quality keycaps from eWaste mechanical boards
- Tinkering software/firmware on vintage electronics
The tinkerer community has certainly helped spur renewed interest in these vintage designs the last 5+ years. And major manufacturers have taken notice, injecting their own flair.
6 Drawbacks to Buying a Retro Mechanical Keyboard
Alright, so clearly retro mechanical keyboards have unique appeal. But several compromises come part and parcel that you should weigh before pulling the trigger. After testing my share, here are the top six drawbacks I‘ve identified:
They Carry Premium Pricing
Retro mechanical keyboards skew towards the higher end of the market – expect $100+ for most decent options. Compare that to quality membrane keyboards reliably under $50.
| Keyboard Type | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| Membrane | Under $50 |
| Mainstream Mechanical | $50 – $150 |
| Retro Mechanical | $100 – $200+ |
The expense stems primarily from low production runs of niche products. But the fine precision components also cost more – rather than a monolithic membrane sheet, each key gets its own mechanical switch. These mount into a sturdy backplate plus durable thick keycaps.
Add in chassis materials to mimic aging plastic/metal, and suddenly costs stack up!
For example two very popular picks include:
- Royal Kludge RK61: $69.99
- Keychron Q1: $169+
So retro mechanicals trend pricey. If sticking to a tight budget, better options likely exist.
They Trail in Ergonomics
Comfort ranks high on my keyboard priorities as an all-day writer. And retro mechanical boards usually fall short on this front. Their larger chassis dimensions make proper positioning a chore. And the rigid mounting plate typically prevents shaping for ergonomic lifts.
Most violate core principles like:
- Wrist support
- Tilt/tent for wrist alignment
- Shoulder relaxation from compact footprint
Gamers have additionally reported less than ideal key feel/response.
Some models integrate palm rests as a partial remedy. But tailoring posture remains trickier than low-profile membrane boards. My wrists ache just looking at these chunky beasts!
If long-term typing comfort is critical, ergonomic keyboards or laptop-style chiclet keyboards better fit the bill.
They Are Crazy Bulky
Closely tied to ergonomic woes is the sheer bulk of retro mechanical keyboards. Desktop acreage reaches silly levels compared to sleek modern options. Weigh-ins tip scales too – upwards of 5 lbs for metal-backed boards!
My trusty Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic keyboard measures just 1.65 lbs and 19.5 x 10.5 inches. Compare that to classic designs like IBM‘s legendary Model M:
- Weight: 5+ lbs
- Size: 19 x 8.5 inches
So prepare for some heavy, desk-dominating slabs👎 A non-starter for compact workspaces in my book. Hope you‘ve kept that retired oak secretary desk!
They Generate Serious Noise
Audible feedback serves useful for rhythm typing. But the cacophony of retro mechanical boards will grate on housemates/coworkers quick. Think constant machine gunfire echoing down hallways if you push WPM rates.
The clicking springs measure around 60 decibels – similar to your typical conversation. But the jaw-rattling reverb makes them seem louder. Membrane keyboards dampen things closer to 40dB.
You can apply o-ring sound dampeners beneath keys – but doing so involves temporarily desoldering the entire board…no small feat. If a quiet(ish) workspace ranks high, avoid retro mechanicals or resign yourself to endless dampening projects.
Their Keystrokes Fatigue
Travel distance – how far each key depresses before actuating – runs deeper on mechanical keyboards too. You‘ve likely noticed the long throw on Apple‘s recent Magic keyboards versus Macbooks. Now extrapolate that times three for the average retro board.
My Sculpt Ergo again provides a useful foil measuring about 3.2mm travel distance per press. A standard Cherry MX switch by contrast clocks in around 4mm.
That may seem subtle on paper, but gels noticeable slamming away during long doc edit sessions. The years have worn my tendons – bottoming keys out hundreds of times per hour tires the forearms something fierce!
If you prefer a lighter touch like contemporary chiclet-style laptop keyboards, adjust expectations. Retro mechs demand some finger calisthenics👍
They Sport An Unapologetically Retro Look
Lastly, form factor and aesthetics ring – if sporting a giant beige/grey eye-sore doesn‘t gel with your minimalist workspace, forget it!
Beyond dimensions, most retro keyboards omit modern conveniences like programmable macros, RGB backlighting, volume controls etc. Their retro schtick stays laser focused on mimicking aging tech.
So ensure the novelty value outweighs utilitarian sacrifices. Apple sprang to dominance on the mantra of "form following function"- the ergonomic SculptEmbody gaming chair took this concept to heart. If productivity matters most, retro mechs likely miss the mark.
3 Contemporary Keyboard Alternatives
Hopefully the above gives a balanced perspective on retro mechanical keyboard pros and cons before pulling the trigger. If the vintage look still calls, by all means indulge! But plenty of contemporary options better suit pure productivity. Based on hours of testing, here are my top 3 alternatives balancing modern performance with ergonomics:
Apple Magic Keyboard (Wireless, Rechargable) – US English – White
$99.00
- Wireless connection via Bluetooth
- Compatible with Mac, iPad, iPhone
- Comfortable and precise typing experience
- Long-lasting, rechargeable internal battery
- Woven USB-C to Lightning Cable for charging
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If you‘re an Apple die-hard looking to mimic their sublime laptop keyboarding, look no further. The Magic Keyboard captures that short throw key feel and pairs it with smart aesthetic in alumni metal chassis. Sizing hitting 11.97 x 4.44 x 0.83 inches keeps footprint in check while accommodating full layouts. At a pound even, it‘s effortless to position without weighed down.
My only nit – no adjustable kickstand for added ergonomic tilt. But at $100 even with Bluetooth/recharging, it‘s my top mainstream pick to replace those plastic retro beasts!
ASUS ROG Falchion NX 65% Wireless RGB
$149.99
- 65% keyboard layout
- Up to 450 hours of battery life
- RGB lighting
- PBT doubleshot keycaps
- Includes polycarbonate keyboard cover
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If you dig the durability of mechanical keyboards but want modern compact styling, ASUS nails it with their ROG Falchion. Coming from 12.2 x 5.2 x 1.5 inches, it squeezes robust Cherry MX switches into just 65% the footprint of standard boards. A polycarbonate cover further slims the 0.75 lb chassis for slipping into backpacks.
Gamers in particular will dig conveniences like media controls, RGB lighting, and 450 hour (!) battery life. The $150 price stings, but nitpickers will struggle finding a tighter retro mechanical package.
Microsoft Surface Ergonomic Kybrd SC Bluetooth English US Hdwr Gray
$242.90
- 78-key keyboard
- Dimensions are 19.68 x 10.51 x 1.65 inches
- Supports Bluetooth 4.0/4.1
- Suede-like wrist rest
- Two preinstalled AAA batteries
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If optimizing ergonomics and avoiding hand/wrist strain tops your priority list, Microsoft sculpted a real winner. The split curved layout keeps arms properly aligned via an integrated padded wrist rest. Short throw membrane keys mimic the comfort of the Surface Laptop line with slightly deeper 3.2mm travel. Integrated Bluetooth cleans cable clutter while lasting months between charges.
At 1.65 lbs the heft stays manageable. My sole gripe – at $240 it commands quite the premium. But for secretaries, programmers, and full-time typists, the comfort may justify the spend.
Parting Thoughts
So in closing, hopefully this guide gave a balanced lay of the land before you spring for that "vintage" mechanical keyboard. At least for serious daily usage, preserve your desk space, budget, and joints with one of the more ergonomic contemporary options above!
If you‘ve already joined the retro keyboard club or are eyeing options, I‘m curious – what draws you to revival models? Sound off with your perspectives in the comments!
